Improvement in fire-escapes



W. C. PULASKI.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

No. 188,817. Patented March 27,1877.

NIPEI'ERS, FiiDTO-LJTHOGRIPMER, WASHINGTON. D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM G. PULASKI, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN FlRE-ESCAPES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 188,817, dated March L7, 1877; application tiled July 21, 1876.

device; Fig. 2, a side view of same; and Fig.

3, a detail view, showing a convenient method of arranging a cage or carrier upon the sliding block.

Like letters in all the figures indicate corresponding parts.

My invention has relation to that class of fire-escapes and means for lowering. weights, &c., wherein a cage or carrier is attached to a block which slides upon a rope; and it (the invention) consists in certain peculiarities of construction and arrangements of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.

The sliding block is perforated in the direction of its length to receive the rope 0, upon which it may be moved up and down. The cage or carrier E, which receives and holds the person or object descending, isattached to the lower portion of said block by passing a portion thereof through suitable perforations provided in the enlarged base, as shown in the drawing.

Within the block and bearing against the rope O is a plate, B, which may be pressed against said rope more or less tightly by means of a thumb-screw, A. The object of this clamp is to regulate the maximum speed at which the block can descend, and to adapt the apparatus to be used in connection with various-sized ropes. It is independent of the main regulating contrivance, though always within the control of the operator, and shouldbe so adjusted as to prevent too rapid descent of the block in case it be used by a person not having sufficient presence of mind to operate either it or the main clamp or brake, hereinafter described. It is also of particular importance in case the apparatus be employed for lowering inanimate objects.

Upon one side of the block D, and forming a part thereof, is a handle, K, by means of which a person descending may sustain himself in a vertical position within the cage.

The opposite side of the block is cut away to accommodate the lever B, which is pivoted within the walls of said block, as shown, and provided with an eccentric face, adapted to bear against the rope within. This lever is so arranged as that a gentle pull upon the handle thereof will cause its eccentric face to crowd the rope against the side of its chamber with sufficient force to create the friction requisite to retard or arrest the descending motion. The upward movement of the handle will diminish this friction, as is obvious from the construction shown. This forms the main clamp or brake, which may be easily operated by any person Within the cage or carrier.

Its extreme simplicity recommends the device shown for use in this peculiar class of inventions.

The apparatus constructed in accordance with the above description occupies but little space; is capable of being easily. and cheaply made and it constitutes a thoroughly efiective tire-escape, while it is, at the same time, equally applicable for use in lowering weights, as previously intimated.

In Fig. 3 is represented a simple form of cage, consisting of a main sash, E, attached to the improved block, and a secondary band, G, by means of which the person may be suitably sustained.

Having now fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a fire-escape of the character herein specified, the combination, with the sliding block, perforated to receive a rope, C, and

provided with a brake or lever, F, of thesuppleinentary brake A B, adapted to regulate the maximum descending speed of said block, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. The herein -described block, provided with main and auxiliary brakes F and A B,

supplementary handle K, and enlarged base perforated to receive the cage or carrier E G, the whole combined to operate in connection with rope G, substantially as and for the purposes explained.

WM. G. PULASKI.

Witnesses:

F. J. SEYBoLD, ALVIN FORD. 

